Weren't all the 46's built on small rings? I've been perusing for a LR Husqvarna off and on for a while and it all seems up in the air as to what is what. Might be some mislabeling too?
So if I am not mistaken, the model 46's were on Swedish small ring actions. The model 146 and 246 rifles used the Belgian FN older style 98 action. And the 640 series of rifles used the Swedish small ring as well as Belgian FN 98 older and newer style actions. As far as the rifles that were chambered in 9.3x57mm you will see the ones with the squared off pistol grip and Schnabel forend configuration with large ring 98 and small ring 94 actions both. The 9.3x57mm rifles with a bag type pistol grip and rounded forend I think they were all 94 Swedish small ring actions. Hopefully someone else can chime in with more information.
Husqvarna rifle model designations seem to be part of a grander Swedish State secret! Here, 'confusion to the sportsman'! My understanding, by definition all flavors of the Model 46 are based on Swedish Model 94,small ring actions. (Used to say Model 96, but slapped so many times by the Husqvarna experts; now clicking-heels & repeating their term: Model 94.) Principal characteristics: small ring, two lug bolt mauser action.
The referenced Simpson information concerning their own product. I do agree that the rifle in the photo, appears a model 98. Such, as pinging on the striker group gas shield, normally not a factory feature of the type 94 or 96. But speaking of a small ring Belgian FN, unsure! Moreover, even to assume century plus originality, a larger roll of dice. Simpsons, likely 'calling them as seeing them'.
Any event, looks a quite interesting rifle! I'd like a whole lot more information about it for intellectual curiosity satisfaction! Maybe some expert can come along here and clarify. But run of mill Swede Husky; it's not! The aside that the Husqvarna 1600 Series is the small ring mauser action with considerable sporting update/adaption.
'65's Post coming as I was completing mine. Short of an index or flow chart, believe he pretty well and succinctly as possible nailed the matter. A congrats on that alone!!!
Best & Stay Safe! John
Last edited by iskra; 03/05/21. Reason: Intervening Quality Post
I guess I really did not address the specific rifle you listed above. To me that looks like a model 146 built on a FN 98 action. Some one has shortened the barrel for sure. The 146 models were made from 1937-1941 and the one you pictured seems to be a 1938 make. The odd feature I do notice is that the bottom side of the bolt handle is not flattened and checkered like other98 action model 146's I have seen or had. I would be curious to see the gas ports on the bottom side of the bolt body. They should be elongated holes on a 98 bolt if I am not mistaken.
I have two 146’s. Both 1938 production on LR Belgian FN 98 actions. They were both in 9.3 x 57. The bottom one I rechambered to 9.3 x 62.
Last edited by kaywoodie; 03/05/21.
Founder Ancient Order of the 1895 Winchester
"Come, shall we go and kill us venison? And yet it irks me the poor dappled fools, Being native burghers of this desert city, Should in their own confines with forked heads Have their round haunches gored."
Kaywoodie - Nice looking rifles! You have one bolt handle swept back and one swept forward. Any preference? Just how they came?
Thanks MadMooner! The bottom rifle’s bolt handle came as it is now. The top rifle, well it came with a little short knobby thing. I found the bolt handle it has now in a junk drawer at the shop. I think it was off an old Interarms Mauser Mk X. Or some such rifle. It had somehow been literally broken off the old bolt body! So it got stuck on this rifle !😉
Last edited by kaywoodie; 03/05/21.
Founder Ancient Order of the 1895 Winchester
"Come, shall we go and kill us venison? And yet it irks me the poor dappled fools, Being native burghers of this desert city, Should in their own confines with forked heads Have their round haunches gored."
I bought one a couple of years ago that was listed as a 146, but not marked as such anywhere. It was based on a post-48 FN commercial action just like the ones used for J.C. Higgins M50s, but with a different single-stage trigger. No markings anywhere to show its Belgian roots, but unmistakably an FN. Like all .30/06s that make it here seem to do, it wandered off, carrying the Lyman PermaCenter 4x with it.
The 46 series, 46, 46A, 46B, and 46AN were all built on small ring pre=98 actions. The 146 and 246 were built on FN supplied actions that had the charger hump and thumbcut. SImpsons is notorious for mislabeling their product over the last several years.
Pappy, yours is a 640 series as are any using the FN Commercial Action.
The 46 series, 46, 46A, 46B, and 46AN were all built on small ring pre=98 actions. The 146 and 246 were built on FN supplied actions that had the charger hump and thumbcut. SImpsons is notorious for mislabeling their product over the last several years.
Pappy, yours is a 640 series as are any using the FN Commercial Action.
Thanks. I figured they had an issue with labeling but wasn't sure.
“Life is life and fun is fun, but it's all so quiet when the goldfish die.”
z1r has it succinctly nailed. To expand a bit... Generalizations: No pre Model 98 genre mausers are large ring. Few different Model 98 genre mausers are small ring. Some illustrations below. Mauser genre Models; First thru Fourth: 1. Oberndorf 98 2. Husqvarna 46AN 3. Erfurt AZ 98 4. Husqvarna 640
Hope this helps more than confuses! Best & Stay Safe! John
Last edited by iskra; 03/07/21. Reason: Corrected - thanks to z1r advising of error
Thanks Z! You're right on & I appreciate it! It's absolutely just as you say, 640 series! I'd run into a pix problem in posting order. Trying to finish up too rapidly. needing to tend to other business. Bunch of words... I screwed up! Going to hop back and amend. My main effort getting the 'picture worth thousand words' illustrations up here... Largely negated if misidentified! Again, thanks for the expert eye! Best & Say Safe! John